drama design terminology

advance bar

lighting bar hung from auditorium close to stage

amplifier

device used to make sound louder

backlight

light coming from upstage behind scenery or actors to sculpt and separate them from the background

back projection

a method of projecting images onto a translucent screen from behind often used for projected scenery or special effects

bar

metal tube used for hanging lanterns

barn door

a rotatable attachment consisting of two or four metal flaps, hinged which is fixed to the front of a fresnel or pc type lantern to cut off the beam in a particular direction

battens

compartmentalised floodlights set up so as to allow colour mixing

blackout

a lighting cue where all lights go off simultaneously

build

increase sound/light levels

check

decrease sound/light levels

gel

a coloured filter placed over lights

cross fade

bringing another lighting/ sound state up to completely replace the current lighting/ sound state

diffusion gel

placed over lights to soften them

downlight

a light from directly above the acting area

flash

when lights are flashed for effects

flood

to wash the stage with general lighting the name given to a basic box-shaped lantern with a simple reflector used to achieve this effect

follow spot

large profile spot with operator

fresnel

adjustable spotlight giving a diffused light, created by the construction of its lens of ‘concentric circles’

gobo

metal slide placed in gate of lantern which throws a pattern

groundrow

floodlight battens placed on stage

house lights

the lights that illuminate the auditorium before and after the performance and during intermission

iris

device in lantern gate that allows beam size to be altered

lamps

the things that create light in a lantern

lantern

stage light

level

intensity of light

light set

a term used to describe a situation where no physical set is used on stage

lose

to turn something off

par can

a type of lantern containing a fixed beam par light

perch

lighting position hidden behind proscenium

profile spot

lantern which can produce hard or soft light

scatter

low level light cast at side of normal light beam

shin buster

low side lights

shutter

device in lantern used to shut beam

slots

side lighting position in auditorium walls

strobe

flashing light

feedback

when a mic picks up its own signal from a speaker

floatmics

microphones placed along the front of the stage

level

intensity of sound

overture

music which starts a musical performance

pitch

the particular level of a voice, instrument or tune

pan

to move sound from one place to another

radio mic

personal mic without power lead

rigging

fixing lighting, sound and scenic devices to the theatre structure

functional sound design

sounds to coincide with the action on stage

atmospheric sound design

enhancing the mood and tone of a scene using sounds

incidental sound design

where sound can be used to cover moments of transition

timbre

the distinctive character or quality of a musical or vocal sound apart from its pitch or intensity such as in a nasal voice quality

verfremdungseffekt (V effect)

distancing the audience from the action

Brechtian music and song

the convention of using music and song to comment on the action and convey ideas

petticoat

a full, ruffled underskirt

neckerchief

a type of neckwear associated with those living outdoors

mariner-style tailcoat

a knee-length coat characterised by a rear section of the skirt, typically worn by those who work on boats

breeches

short trousers covering the hips and thighs and fitting snugly at the lower edges at or just below the knee

stocking

a long sock

tricorne

a wide-brimmed hat with three corners, often worn by officers

possum-skin cloak

an animal skin cloak worn by aborigines

loincloth

a cloth worn about the loins often as the sole article of clothing in warm climates

hessian

a strong, coarse fabric made from hemp or jute

lapel

the fold of the front of a coat that is usually a continuation of the collar

waistcoat

a close-fitting waist-length garment, typically having no sleeves or collar and buttoning down the front

frock coat

a knee length overcoat, buttoned down to the waist, that drapes over the lower half of the body like a skirt

linen

cloth made of flax and noted for its strength, coolness, and luster

spatterdashes

long leather leggings worn to protect stockings and trousers from spatters of mud

epaulettes (Badges of Rank)

a type of ornamental shoulder piece used to show military rank

sash

a loop of cloth worn round the waist

sword belt

a belt with a sling or strap for a sword

shawl

a piece of fabric worn by women over the shoulders or head

stays

rigid pieces of whalebone inserted into a garment to shape the torso

corset

a tightly fitting laced or stiffened outer garment worn by women

redcoat

a scarlet tunic worn by the military

single-breasted

a garment with one row of buttons an a narrow overlap of fabric

cockade

a rosette worn on the hat as a badge of national identity

flood

fresnel

profile spot

parcan

diegetic sounds

natural sounds

EQ

adjusting the volume levels of frequency within a sound in order to cure the sound

flange

an EQ sound effect which gives a resonant whirring sound

composite set

several locations are presented on stage at one time

revolve stage

a circular platform that can rotate, enabling quick and efficient scene changes

trucks

a moving platform on which a piece of scenery is built to facilitate scene changing

fly rig

overhead rigging used to lift and lower scenery, curtains, lighting, and other stage elements

multimedia

incorporating various digital and non-digital media like video, sound, and interactive elements into a theatrical production to enhance storytelling, create immersive experiences, and expand creative possibilities

personal prop

props used by an actor to add depth to their character

soundscape

combining sounds in order to create a particular effect

underscoring

the use of background music to support the action and dialogue, creating a mood or atmosphere

lighting grid

perpendicular cross-hatches of pipe attached to the overhead structure above a stage, or studio

T-bar stand

a type of lighting stand designed to support multiple lighting fixtures on a horizontal bar, allowing for a variety of lighting effects and configurations

boom

a vertical pipe or structure used to hold and position lighting fixtures

birdie

(very) small parcans

rostrum

a raised platform on which a person stands

double tracking

a recording technique where a musician records the same part multiple times (usually twice) and combines the recordings to create a fuller, richer sound

anachronistic

elements which do not belong in the given time period